Settlement programs

The HSS (Humanitarian Settlement Services) program provides intensive settlement support to newly-arrived humanitarian entrants. The aim of the HSS is to assist humanitarian entrants achieve self-sufficiency in the settlement process through the assessment and delivery of settlement services on an as-needs basis, generally for around 6 months.

HSS promotes the skills and knowledge needed for clients to begin their new lives in Australia and to participate in Australia’s social, cultural and economic life.

A case management approach is used to ensure that the special needs of humanitarian entrants are met by matching them with services that meet their particular circumstances. The focus is on helping entrants to gain access to mainstream services such as Centrelink, Medicare, banks, general and specialist health and medical services, English language tuition, and education, training and employment, as well as fostering links to the community.

About the Navitas English HSS Consortium

The Navitas English HSS Consortium has been delivering the Humanitarian Settlement Services program in the Hunter and Illawarra Regions of New South Wales since 2011. The Navitas English HSS Consortium is a partnership between Navitas English, Mission Australia and the NSW Refugee Health Service. The members of the Consortium work together to provide integrated service delivery for the first months of settlement, with each Consortium partner playing a vital role in the settlement process.

HSS Principles

The following HSS Principles form part of the contract between the Navitas English HSS Consortium and the Department of Social Services and underpin service delivery to HSS clients:

Respect the human worth and dignity of Clients and their cultural and religious diversity

Protect the health and wellbeing of Clients

Ensure Clients contribute to decisions that affect them and have influence over their settlement pathways

Deliver Services flexibly through a tailored case management approach which prioritises need and early intervention strategies

Give particular attention to the needs of children and young people as they are of vital concern

The Department of Social Services also produces a useful booklet - 'Life in Australia', available in various languages which contains detailed information what to do after arrival, services available and Australian customs and laws. The booklet is aimed at newly-arrived migrants and humanitarian entrants, as well as their sponsors and service providers.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services through the HSS program.